Cobbo scores hat-trick as Maroons level State of Origin series

Selwyn Cobbo scored a second-half hat-trick as Queensland levelled the 2026 State of Origin series with a huge 44-24 victory against New South Wales at the MCG in Melbourne.

The Blues were the better team in the first half, with tries from Kotoni Staggs and Origin debutant Mark Nawaqanitawase leading Laurie Daley's side to a four-point lead at half-time.

However the Maroons came out after half-time firing, with Cobbo grabbing a quickfire pair of tries inside 11 minutes.

State of Origin recap: Game two as it happened

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Jojo Fifita followed up with a try soon after, with Staggs being sent to the sin bin for a high tackle on Queensland full-back Kalyn Ponga.

Queensland made the Blues pay, with Ponga just managing to get an offload away to Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who ran in for a try, before prop Lindsay Collins capitalised on a sensational break from Harry Grant to also score.

Cobbo wrapped up the match with a brilliant finish just inside the corner to give the Maroons plenty of confidence heading into the series decider on Wednesday, July 8.